Jean-Marc Fleury named Chair of the Bell Globemedia Chair in Science Journalism

Jean-Marc Fleury, Executive Director of WFSJ, has been named Chair of the Bell Globemedia Chair in Science Journalism at Laval University (Québec), on 28 August 2007. “The Chair will aim at examining the mediatisation of science at a time when science journalism is undergoing tremendous changes”, he said at a ceremony held in Québec City. He added that research could be undertaken on how policy decisions can be influenced by the way major issues like global warming, energy sources, and health priorities are mediatised. He insisted on the need for science journalists to take a global perspective to better cover local topics. He is looking forward to working with students.

Jean-Marc said he was proud of Québec science journalism and that the Québec Association of Science Communicators is a model that could inspire many other associations in the world.

The Chair position is part-time and Jean-Marc continues to work full-time in the Gatineau (near Ottawa) office of the World Federation of Science Journalists. He succeeds Florian Sauvageau, a very well know and respected journalist and media expert, who has been managing the Chair since 2001 but refused to hold it as Chair. Jean-Marc was also recently honoured by the Québec Association of Science Communicators at its 30th anniversary for his lifetime contribution to science journalism.

His nomination was also the opportunity to highlight the exceptional contribution of Pierre Sormany to science journalism. Pierre is the editor-in-chief of Découverte, the weekly science program on Radio-Canada television, and author of the reference book on journalism: Le métier de journaliste.

Mélanie Robitaille, science journalist

From left to right, Pierre Sormany, editor-in-chief of Radio-Canada’s public affairs TV programs Découverte, La semaine verte (Green Week), and L’épicerie (Food Store), Florian Sauvageau, and Jean-Marc Fleury, new Chair of the Bell Globemedia Chair in science journalism at Laval University and Executive Director of the World Federation of Science Journalists.